Extraction and storage arrangement

ABSTRACT

Device for sampling and multiple stocking of a liquid substance, includes a compact set of tubes arranged in a row with the openings of each end face stopped up by a plug. The set of tubes are fitted, near one of its ends, with channels communicating between the tubes when the plug at said end is in a first position, but isolates each tube when the plug is in a second position.

United States Patent 1 3,595,086

[72] inventors ClaudeJean-PhilippeBonnet {50] FieldolSearch .1 73/422, Paris; 425.4, 425.6,421; 128/2 R Robert Laucournet, L'Hay-LesRoses; Jean Alexandre Guigan, Paris. all of. France 878,477

Nov. 20, 1969 July 27, 1971 F. Hoffmann-La Roche & Co. Aktiengesellschaft Basel, Switzerland [21] Appl No. [22] Filed [45] Patented {73] Assignee [32] Priority Dec. 27, 1968, Nov. 21, 1968 [33] France [31] 181344/68 and 174805/68 [54] EXTRACTION AND STORAGE ARRANGEMENT 18 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl .1 73/421R, 128/2 R [51] lnt.Cl G0ln 1/18 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,950,716 8/1960 Bellamy et a1. 73/422 3,405,706 10/1968 Cinqualbre... 128/2 R 3,494,351 2/1970 Horn 128/2 R Primary Examiner-S. Clement Swisher Attorney-Sughrue. Rothwell, Mion, Zinn and Macpeak PATENTEnJummn SHEET 1 0F 4 3,595,086

I III 17 PATENTEUJUL27I97| SHEET 3 0F 4 3, 595,086

FIG..6

PATENTED JUL27I97I 3,595,086

SHEET H 0F 4 EXTRACTION AND STORAGE ARRANGEMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present application relates to an arrangement for extracting and multiple storage of a liquid substance, particularly blood, and in particular to an arrangement permitting a multiple automatic analysis of the extracted and stored liquid substance.

Within the field of the invention, arrangements are known involving a compact unit comprising a plurality of independent containers disposed side-by-side and in line, made in the same mass of material and closed by plugs, of which at least a portion can be easily pierced by a hollow needle. The filling of the containers is effected simultaneously by means of a like hollow needle, formed with lateral orifices which are spaced so as to discharge simultaneously at the level or each container to ensure the distribution of the liquid in the storage containers. The end of the needle is sharpened so as to pierce those lateral parts of the plugs disposed in line which are pierceable. The needle for distributing the liquid in the different individual containers is extended by another part serving for the extraction of the substance to be distributed. The part intended for the extraction has the same characteristics as the known extracting needles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an extraction and multiple storage arrangement for a liquid substance, comprising a storage unit of elongated form, divided into compartments so as to define a plurality of chambers, of which the openings at each end are closed by plugs. An air exhaust member is connected to the storage unit and a pipe connected, on the one hand, to a container holding the liquid substance and, on the other hand, to the said storage unit. This invention is charac terized in that said storage unit comprises a plurality of passages which are respectively formed in the internal walls of said storage unit near the openings of a first end, which cooperate with closure plugs of said end of the chambers of the storage unit to form a single closure element capable of occupying two closure positions. In the first position, the passages are not closed, so as to leave the adjacent chambers in communication, and in a second position, the passages are completely closed, so as to avoid any transfer of the stored substance from one of the chambers to another adjacent chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l. is a perspective view of a multiple storage unit according to the present invention,

FIGS. 2 and 3 are partial sectional views of the storage unit of FIG. ll,

FIG. 4 shows a modified construction of the multiple storage unit,

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the storage unit in accordance with the modified form of FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 shows a partial sectional view of the storage unit in accordance with another modification.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of all the elements of the arrangement according to the present invention, but not assembled,

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an enlarged detail of an element in FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 shows diagrammatically an air exhaust member contained in the storage unit.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS These tubes are advantageously obtained by molding a thermosetting material and form storage chambers which are closed by plugs. The internal walls: of the unit ll comprise passages such as Ill in the vicinity of the upper part. these passages bringing two adjacent chambers into communication. These passages discharge, for example, on the lateral faces so as to facilitate the molding operation and are then closed off from outside by an added or inserted part.

Advantageously, each group of closure plugs forms a single closure means for the upper face and the lower face of the compact unit. The unit 1 is closed in its upper part by a single plug 2 and in its lower part by a plug 3, the plugs Zand 3 are made of molded synthetic plastic or rubber, having portions 21 and 31 designed to penetrate into the openings of the tubes with the object of closing them in a fluidtight manner.

In accordance with the embodiment as illustrated, the passages 11 are formed in proximity to the large lateral faces of the unit, parallel to the alignment of the tubes. A first passage formed in proximity to the large faces brings the first and second tubes into communication with one another. A second passage formed in proximity to the other large face brings the second and third tubes into communication with one another. Any other arrangement of passages bringing the tubes into communication with one another at the level of their upper part or their lower part remains within the scope of the present invention.

The upper plug 2 can be provided with means, for example, a small boss, cooperating with another associated means carried by the storage unit, for example, a groove, so that the portions 2i of the plugs occupy a first given position known as the top position h (FIG. 2), for which the tubes or chambers are shut off but communicate in pairs through the passages 11. But, when the portions 21 of the plug 2 are fully forced into the openings of the tubes, they occupy a second position known as the low position b (FIG. 2), in which the passages ii are completely shut off and there is no possibility of any communication between the chambers. These means, carried by the plug and the tube assembly, can be effected and arranged in various ways, and for this reason have not been shown in the Figures. By way of example, the boss can be carried by the portions such as 2ll and the grooves can be formed inside the tubes, or vice versa.

The storage unit or the plugs 2 and 3 also comprise, on their surfaces, parts which can be easily pierced by a hollow needle. These parts will be disposed in such a way that a hollow needle for the distribution of an extracted substance opens into one end chamber, while a hollow needle for exhausting the air opens into the chamber at the other end. Thus, with the plug 2 in the top position, the liquid substance will flow into the first chamber so as to fill the latter and will then flow through the communication passage into the second tube, while air is exhausted from the last chamber, connected to the preceding chambers by the aforesaid passages.

The parts which can be pierced may be disposed either on the surface of the common upper part 20 of the upper plug 2, or on the sides 22 of the portions 311 of the plug 2. The portions M in these two cases, being hollow, so that the needle easily discharges into the chambers, or on the lateral faces of the tube assembly.

FIG. 2 is a view along the line B of'FIG. 1, showing one embodiment of the upper plug 2, comprising parts which ban be pierced and disposed at 22. The lower plug 3 may be identical. The upper plug may occupy a top or high position h inwhich the passages lll leave the chambers, such as 10, in communication, and a bottom or lower position b, in which the chambers are shut off, without any possible communication with one another.

FIG. 3 shows a section along the line A of FIG. ll, the storage unit I formed with passages llll bringing the chambers it into communication. v

FIG. ll represents a modified embodiment of the multiple storage unit ll. FIG. 5 is a section along the line C of FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view along the line Dlof FIG.

5. The chambers are brought into communication in pairs by means of the aforesaid passages II and at least the last chamber (on the right in FIGS. 4 and 5) is also formed with a passage 12 which has an outlet on the end face.

The first chamber (on the left in FIGS. 4 and 5) may also be formed with a passage which is open on the end face, and through this passage (not shown) it is possible for a liquid injection needle to penetrate into the chambers with the exhaustion needle penetrating through the passage 12.

The passage 12 is, in particular, shut off by means of a ribbon 14 consisting for example of rubber, which extends once or less around the element 1 at the level of the passages. To this end, in order that the unit equipped with the plugs 2 and 3 maintains flat faces externally, the upper part of the storage unit has, level with the passages, a slight recess l5 relatively to its middle portion, this recess corresponding to the thickness of the rubber layer or ribbon which closes the passage 12 and at the parts ofthe plugs which are possibly nested on the external parts of the unit 1. According to a modification, this same rubber ribbon or tape can be used for isolating the communicating passages from outside, in the case where these passages open on the lateral faces, for example, in order to facilitate molding.

Provided at the bottom part of the first chamber (on the left in FIG. 4), is a passage 16 formed through the corresponding end face of the unit. This passage 16 is closed by the lower plug 3, which is shown in this Figure in the form of a base 33 having a rim 34, these being formed by a part 35 made of rubber and covered with another part 36 made of plastics. This rim 34 is formed with a hole 37, which is only in the plastic layer 36, so as to correspond to the passage 16. This rim 34 is adapted to fit beneath the shoulder 17 formed in the lateral face of the tube assembly I. The bottom 33 is also formed, facing the openings of the tubes 10, with holes 38 which are only formed in the layer of plastic material, permitting a subsequent extraction of the substance contained in each tube by means of a withdrawal needle passing through the openings 38 and the rubber sheet 35. With the object of ensuring a good tightness between the chambers at the lower end, the internal face of the plastic bottom 36 has slightly raised portions 39 (FIG. 6), which extend into the tubes and press the rubber sheet 35 against the walls of the tubes 10.

When using the multiple storage unit a hollow needle for distributing the extracted substance and having a bevelled end is adapted to pierce the rubber sheet 35 through the hole 37 and opens through the passage 16 into the first chamber. A second hollow needle with a bevelled end, serving to exhaust the air contained in the chambers and to exhaust the liquid substance, is adapted to pierce the ribbon or tape 14 at the level of the passage i2 and opens into the last chamber. The upper plug is then in the top position, so that the chambers communicate with one another.

The liquid substance ascends in the first chamber when the level of liquid substance reaches the passage lll communicating with the second chamber, it then flows into the second chamber, and so on, until the chambers are filled. The needles are then withdrawn, and as the sheet 35 and the tape 14 consist of retractable material, the openings formed at the time of introducing the needles are closed. The top plug is pushed completely in and occupies the low position; the passages are then closed and the substances are stored independently of one another.

As a modification which is not shown, the unit I is completely symmetrical, the lower part being identical with the upper part. These parts are both formed with communication passages and in addition the lower plug is identical to the upper plug. According to this modification, the extracted substance rises in all the tubes and it will be possible to deposit a small quantity of reagent on the internal face of portions of the upper plug which come into contact with the stored substance, at the time of pushing the plugs in, without there being any mixing of the samples thus formed.

Because the substances are stored in the multiple storage unit according to the present invention without possible mixing between one chamber and the other, it can be used as a multiple storage unit for samples which are each formed by a mixture in predetermined quantity of the said extracted substance and an appropriate reagent. The extracted substance will, for example, be blood which is destined for multiple, automatic analysis. In order to form the samples and with the object of benefiting from the distribution of the extracted liquid substance in all the storage chambers, the portions 21 of the upper plug 2 will be hollow, as shown in FIG. 2. A suitable reagent contained in the internal cavity of each portions 21 will be mixed with the liquid substance only when the operation of distributing the substance in the chambers is terminated by the portions 21 being brought into the low position b in the chambers.

In FIG. 2, the portions 21 of the plug 2 are hollow and the internal cavity 23, defined by the lower lateral walls of each portion 21, has substantially a frustoconical form, a small quantity of reagent being disposed on the top 25 of the cavity. This constructional form of the portions Zll permits the chambers to be filled up to the level of the passages which bring them into communication with one another without the liquid substance coming into contact with the reagents, and then, on being brought into the low position b, the liquid substance reenters each cavity 23, the mixing of the liquid substance and the reagent in each tube being effected by agitating all the chambers, each shut off in fluidtight manner.

As a modification which is not shown, the cavity 23 is closed until the end of the operation of distributing the liquid substance, by a membrane or pellet consisting of a synthetic plastic or other easily destructible material and contains a suitable reagent in liquid, powder or other form. On being brought to the low position, this pellet will be pierced, for example, by a destructive member or by friction against the walls of the corresponding chamber.

FIG. 7 shows, unassembled, the arrangement for extraction and multiple storage according to the invention.v The extracting and'distributing needle 40 is hollow, having its two ends bevelled. It is fixed on the face ofa needle carrier 42, as shown in detail in FIG. 8, by means of a frustoconical coupling member 41 which is fast with the needle and a latching system carried by the faced the needle carrier, this latching system being for example formed by a part 43 sliding in a groove 44.

The air-exhaustion needle (not shown).is hollow, of which one bevelled end opens into an end chamber with the other end connnected by a flexible pipe to a suction system. The aire'xtraction needle can be fixed to a needle carrier, or it can be free and connected to the pipe of the air exhaustion system. The storage unit I is positioned in a cavity 45 of a support 44-; this support 434 comprising on its rims two grooves 46, in which are fitted to lugs 47 of the needle carrier 42.

The exhaust system, contained in a casing Si), is fixed to the end of the support 4 8. It comprises a fan 51, a motor (not shown), a switch S2 and the flexible pipe which connects it to the storage unit by way of the air exhaust needle.

The motor, of the direct current electrical type, is supplied by a pack of batteries or accumulators 56 contained in a casing 55. The casing 55 is mounted on the end of the casing 50.

In a modified construction which is not shown, the exhaust system is formed by a piston sliding in a cylinder, its function being similar to that ofa syringe.

In another modification, which is shown in FIG. Q, the exhaust system comprises an exhaust chamber 60, defined by flexible walls 61. This exhaust chamber is brought into communication by means of a pipe 62 with a space 63. The space 63 communicates either with the atmosphere, through a first valve 65, or with a flexible pipe 68, through a second valve 66.

Thus, when the operator applies pressure in the direction of the arrow 75, the air contained in the exhaust chamber 60 is forced through the valve 65 into the atmosphere. The valve 65 is then closed and the valve 66 opened, the air contained in the chambers of the unit i. being then exhausted through an exhaust needle 70. The pipe 68 to which the needle 70 is connected, and the valve 66 in the chamber 60, which progressively reassumes its initial volume, this being represented by the arrow 76.

Close to the exhaust needle 70, the pipe passes through a device 72 permitting the closure of the pipe 68 to be regulated. The device is provided with a member 71 capable of being actuated by the operator, this device serving as a safety means so as to avoid all injection of air into the chambers of the unit 1 and as an exhaust control member.

What we claim is:

1. in an arrangement for extracting a sample ofa liquid from a source of the liquid including a unit for storing the sample comprising a plurality of parallel tubular chambers, a first clo sure element for closing first ends of all the chambers, a second closure element for closing second ends of all the chambers, and further comprising means for connecting a first chamber to the source and a second chamber to means for reducing the pressure in the unit so as to draw the sample into the unit by suction, the improvement comprising: internal passages carried by said unit interconnecting the chambers near their first ends in a series combination extending from the first chamber to the second chamber, whereby said first closure element successively engages the chambers in a first position in which the chambers are isolated from the surroundings but in communication with each other via said passages in a second position wherein the chambers are isolated from the surroundings and also isolated from one another by closure of the passages by the first closure element.

2. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein: that first closure element comprises a hollow portion adapted to penetrate into each of the first ends of the said chambers and has at least one part which can be pierced with a hollow needle to permit said needle to penetrate into one of the closed chambers.

3. The arrangement according to claim 2, wherein: the storage unit comprises on a first lateral face, a part which can be pierced by a hollow needle.

4. The arrangement according to claim 3, wherein: said part of the storage unit which can be pierced is formed by a passage provided in the vicinity of said first end of the said second chamber and opening into the second chamber, and wherein said passage is closed by a strip of material which can be pierced by the hollow needle.

5. The arrangement according to claim 4, wherein: the second closure element is formed by a sheet of material which can be easily pierced covered with a plate having a hole facing each second end ofthe said chambers.

6. The arrangement according to claim 5, wherein: said plate is provided with an annular protuberance adapted to engage each ofthe said second ends of the chambers to provide a fluidtight seal between said chambers.

7. The arrangement according to claim 5, wherein: a second lateral face for the said storage unit is formed with a passage penetrating into one end portion of said first chamber, and said passage is closed by a strip of material which can be pierced by a hollow needle for extracting said liquid substance.

8. The arrangement according to claim 7, wherein: said passage penetrates into the second end of the said first chamber, and the strip comprises an edge portion of a sheet which is folded to cover part of the second lateral face.

9. The arrangement according to claim 3, further comprising a member for supporting a needle for extracting said liquid substance having one face provided with a latching element for cooperating with fixing means carried by said needle, said latching element being disposed level with the passage formed in the said second lateral face, a support formed with a cavity in which said storage unit can be encased and comprising first means cooperating with second means carried by the needlesupporting member to assemble the said needle-supporting member with the storage unit su port.

It). The arrangement accor ing to claim 9, wherein: said first means are formed by two grooves provided on lateral, external faces of the support defining said cavity, and said second means are formed by two lugs extending perpendicular to the face of the needle-supporting member and adapted to engage said grooves.

11. The arrangement according to claim 10, wherein: said latching element comprises a part slidably mounted in a groove formed in the face of the needle-supporting member, and adapted to cooperate with said fixing member, and wherein said fixing member is of frustoconicai form and fixed to the needle.

12. The arrangement according to claim 9, wherein: said means for reducing the pressure in the storage unit comprises a piston movable in a cylinder having a closed end means externally for attaching said cylinder to the storage unit support, a pipe opening into the space between the piston and the said closed end of the cylinder, for communicating with the chambers of the storage unit through a hollow needle passing through the passage formed in the said first lateral face.

T3. The arrangement according to claim 10, wherein: said means for reducing the pressure in the storage unit comprises a piston movable in a cylinder having a closed end means externally for attaching said cylinder to the storage unit support, a pipe opening into the space between the piston and the said closed end of the cylinder, for communicating with the chambers of the storage unit through a hollow needle passing through the passage formed in the said first lateral face.

M. The arrangement according to claim 11, wherein: said means for reducing the pressure in the storage unit comprises a piston movable in a cylinder having a closed end means externally for attaching said cylinder to the storage unit support, a pipe opening into the space between the piston and the said closed end of the cylinder, for communicating with the chem bers of the storage unit through a hollow needle passing through the passage formed in the said first lateral face.

15. The arrangement according to claim 9, wherein: said means for reducing the pressure in the storage unit comprises a chamber having flexible walls communicating through a first nonreturn valve with the atmosphere and through a second nonreturn valve with a pipe connected to the said storage unit by means of a hollow needle passing through the passage formed in the said first lateral face, said nonreturn valves being operative in opposite senses so that one of them is open when the other is closed.

16. The arrangement according to claim 10, wherein: said means for reducing the pressure in the storage unit comprises a chamber having flexible walls communicating through a first nonreturn valve with the atmosphere and through a second nonreturn valve with a pipe connected to the said storage unit by means of a hollow needle passing through the passage formed in the said first lateral face, said nonreturn valves being operative in opposite senses so that one of them is open when the other is closed.

17. The arrangement according to claim 3111, wherein: said means for reducing the pressure in the storage unit comprises a chamber having flexible walls communicating through a first nonreturn valve with the atmosphere and through a second nonreturn valve with a pipe connected to the said storage unit by means of a hollow needle passing through the passage formed in the said first lateral face, said nonreturn valves being operative in opposite senses to that one of them is open when the other is closed.

18. An arrangement according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises a member for regulating the closure of the air exhaust pipe by compressing the said pipe. 

1. In an arrangement for extracting a sample of a liquid from a source of the liquid including a unit for storing the sample comprising a plurality of parallel tubular chambers, a first closure element for closing first ends of all the chambers, a second closure element for closing second ends of all the chambers, and further comprising means for connecting a first chamber to the source and a second chamber to means for reducing the pressure in the unit so as to draw the sample into the unit by suction, the improvement comprising: internal passages carried by said unit interconnecting the chambers near their first ends in a series combination extending from the first chamber to the second chamber, whereby said first closure element successively engages the chambers in a first position in which the chambers are isolated from the surroundings but in communication with each other via said passages in a second position wherein the chambers are isolated from the surroundings and also isolated from one another by closure of the passages by the first closure element.
 2. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein: that first closure element comprises a hollow portion adapted to penetrate into each of the first ends of the said chambers and has at least one part which can be pierced with a hollow needle to permit said needle to penetrate into one of the closed chambers.
 3. The arrangement according to claim 2, wherein: the storage unit comprises on a first lateral face, a part which can be pierced by a hollow needle.
 4. The arrangement according to claim 3, wherein: said part of the storage unit which can be pierced is formed by a passage provided in the vicinity of said first end of the said second chamber and opening into the second chamber, and wherein said passage is closed by a strip of material which can be pierced by the hollow needle.
 5. The arrangement according to claim 4, wherein: the second closure element is formed by a sheet of material which can be easily pierced covered with a plate having a hole facing each second end of the said chambers.
 6. The arrangement accordiNg to claim 5, wherein: said plate is provided with an annular protuberance adapted to engage each of the said second ends of the chambers to provide a fluidtight seal between said chambers.
 7. The arrangement according to claim 5, wherein: a second lateral face for the said storage unit is formed with a passage penetrating into one end portion of said first chamber, and said passage is closed by a strip of material which can be pierced by a hollow needle for extracting said liquid substance.
 8. The arrangement according to claim 7, wherein: said passage penetrates into the second end of the said first chamber, and the strip comprises an edge portion of a sheet which is folded to cover part of the second lateral face.
 9. The arrangement according to claim 8, further comprising a member for supporting a needle for extracting said liquid substance having one face provided with a latching element for cooperating with fixing means carried by said needle, said latching element being disposed level with the passage formed in the said second lateral face, a support formed with a cavity in which said storage unit can be encased and comprising first means cooperating with second means carried by the needle-supporting member to assemble the said needle-supporting member with the storage unit support.
 10. The arrangement according to claim 9, wherein: said first means are formed by two grooves provided on lateral, external faces of the support defining said cavity, and said second means are formed by two lugs extending perpendicular to the face of the needle-supporting member and adapted to engage said grooves.
 11. The arrangement according to claim 10, wherein: said latching element comprises a part slidably mounted in a groove formed in the face of the needle-supporting member, and adapted to cooperate with said fixing member, and wherein said fixing member is of frustoconical form and fixed to the needle.
 12. The arrangement according to claim 9, wherein: said means for reducing the pressure in the storage unit comprises a piston movable in a cylinder having a closed end means externally for attaching said cylinder to the storage unit support, a pipe opening into the space between the piston and the said closed end of the cylinder, for communicating with the chambers of the storage unit through a hollow needle passing through the passage formed in the said first lateral face.
 13. The arrangement according to claim 10, wherein: said means for reducing the pressure in the storage unit comprises a piston movable in a cylinder having a closed end means externally for attaching said cylinder to the storage unit support, a pipe opening into the space between the piston and the said closed end of the cylinder, for communicating with the chambers of the storage unit through a hollow needle passing through the passage formed in the said first lateral face.
 14. The arrangement according to claim 11, wherein: said means for reducing the pressure in the storage unit comprises a piston movable in a cylinder having a closed end means externally for attaching said cylinder to the storage unit support, a pipe opening into the space between the piston and the said closed end of the cylinder, for communicating with the chambers of the storage unit through a hollow needle passing through the passage formed in the said first lateral face.
 15. The arrangement according to claim 9, wherein: said means for reducing the pressure in the storage unit comprises a chamber having flexible walls communicating through a first nonreturn valve with the atmosphere and through a second nonreturn valve with a pipe connected to the said storage unit by means of a hollow needle passing through the passage formed in the said first lateral face, said nonreturn valves being operative in opposite senses so that one of them is open when the other is closed.
 16. The arrangement according to claim 10, wherein: said means for reducing the pressure in the storage unit comprises a chamber having flexible waLls communicating through a first nonreturn valve with the atmosphere and through a second nonreturn valve with a pipe connected to the said storage unit by means of a hollow needle passing through the passage formed in the said first lateral face, said nonreturn valves being operative in opposite senses so that one of them is open when the other is closed.
 17. The arrangement according to claim 11, wherein: said means for reducing the pressure in the storage unit comprises a chamber having flexible walls communicating through a first nonreturn valve with the atmosphere and through a second nonreturn valve with a pipe connected to the said storage unit by means of a hollow needle passing through the passage formed in the said first lateral face, said nonreturn valves being operative in opposite senses to that one of them is open when the other is closed.
 18. An arrangement according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises a member for regulating the closure of the air exhaust pipe by compressing the said pipe. 